Today's Promise

Today's Promise

Dr. Bill Bright

How to Find Your Life

"For anyone who keeps his life for himself shall lose it; and anyone
who loses his life for Me shall find it again" (Matthew 16:25).

From all outward appearances Tom and Mary were the ideal couple. They lived
in a beautiful mansion. They possessed several fine cars - more than they
needed. Both of them dressed elegantly and they entertained lavishly. They were
the life of the party and everything seemed too good to be true. And it was.

Beneath the facade they were miserable creatures, though outwardly they
seemed to be loving and considerate of each other. I soon learned that they had
great resentments and deep-seated antagonisms toward each other. Their quarrels
had become more frequent, sometimes exploding into temper tantrums, and
sometimes resulting in physical abuse. They had tried in a number of ways to
find happiness and fulfillment, including several around-the-world trips. But
the harder they had tried, the more miserable they had become.

It was in this context that I shared with them the importance of surrendering
their lives to Christ and inviting Him to be their Savior. I counseled them to
lose themselves, as His representatives, in bringing happiness into the lives of
others.

Receiving Christ was not so hard for them to do . They both realized they
were sinners and needed as Savior. But they had lived such selfish lives for so
long that it was not easy for them to begin to consider others as the Scripture
admonishes. After a time they did begin to work with elderly people in
convalescent homes and with prisoners through the ministry of the local church.
On occasion, they gave their testimony at the skid row mission.

With the passing of time, the miracle happened and that illusive goal of
happiness, fulfillment and satisfaction became a reality. In losing their lives
they truly found them in service to others in the name of Christ. They found the
abundant life which He promised and for which they had sought so long.

God's loyalty has been proven over and over again. In reviewing my own
experiences, and in observing the lives of many others, I have become aware that
the individual who seeks happiness never finds it, but the one who is committed
to taking happiness to others always finds it. And he also finds meaning,
purpose, joy and peace in the process.